Berniece Edna Chalmers (nee Tourand). October 1, 1922 - August 8, 2026
It is with great sadness the Chalmers Family announces the passing of our Mother & Grandmother
Berneice was born in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 1922. Her Mother & Father Isabel & Isadore Tourand stayed in this location until she was 5 years old, then drove back to Saskatoon, Sask, where Berneice grew up & loved. She had 4 Brothers & 2 Sisters who have all predeceased her.
Berneice graduated in Saskatoon in 1939 from King George High School. Schooling was very important to her. She married John Chalmers at St. Thomas Wesley Manse in Saskatoon, Sask on October 27, 1942 & resided in Smiley, Saskatchewan.
She always loved to reminisce of her school days. She loved education and learning & helped initiate the beginning of Muriel Rowe School for Mentally challenged children in the 70’s here in Drumheller. She also served as a lunch lady at Central School for a few years!
She went on to be a bookkeeper & get a certificate for Financial Accounting in 1974 working for E.O. Parry & Home Hardware in the 70’s and then decided to go back to childcare and worked many years at our Drumheller
Daycare in the 80’s. She graduated from Red Deer College in 1983 with a certificate in Early Childhood Education, very proud that she was the oldest (61) in her class & made the dean’s list!
Our Mom loved to travel, she visited 18 different Countries. She would join in on any trip that she thought might be interesting! Many trips with her friends across Canada with Elderhostel, Meeting up with her friend Wati Goacher in Singapore & England & Cecile Lanovaz in China, Dominican, Mexico and more! Her good friends Lenore Rosgen & Helen Otto were also game to join in on the fun! One of the stories we heard was when they all went to Wimbledon for lunch, enjoyed, then got on the bus & many miles later realized no one had paid! She didn’t always Dine & Dash...but when she did...!! She also told of Arla & her going into Buckingham Palace to sign the Guest book! The bus trip that covered 5 countries in 7 days across Europe & her solo trip to Tel Aviv, Kissing the Blarney Stone, floating in the Dead Sea & flying down the valley in a hot air balloon, oh & also, getting into a Bi plane in Palm Springs to go for a ride, she loved her plane rides, which she took many of!
Berneice served with the UCW & was a member of The Drumheller Knox United Church since 1957. She also was a CGIT & Girl Guide Leader for many years.
Ancestry & Genealogy intrigued our mom & we thank her for all of the history she uncovered for our family!
Our Mom & Grandma will be missed incredibly. She was the most positive person you could ever meet...exclaiming “It don’t rain on my parade” & at the end of the day “All is well in the world” We can’t even imagine the changes she saw in her 104 years on this earth. She wanted to live to be 104! & in our eyes, she did. Passing away on Aug. 8, 2026 with a valid passport is something we joked about but are very proud of our mom and her accomplishments.
Berniece was predeceased by her husband, John Chalmers (1991) & her Son Douglas Chalmers (2025) She leaves to mourn her son John (Lucy) of Brenda AZ; Daughters Arla (Bill) of Bonnyville; Margo & Janice of Drumheller Her Granddaughter & #39’s Calsea Freeman (Lee) Drumheller/Panorama BC; Shantelle Cnockaert of Winnipeg. Her nephews Hal Chalmers (Debbie) of Nanaimo & Ron Warrington of Halifax.
Many Thanks go to the Staff at Long Term Care who made her stay there comfortable & happy. Also, thank you to Edie, Joan, Gail, Maria & Dean who added so very much to her life in the last few years. Tara-Lee & volunteers of the salon thank you for keeping her beautiful! She loved getting her hair done!
A Celebration of our mom’s amazing life will be held on Aug 22, 2026, at Knox United Church, 195 3 Av E. at 11:00am. A lunch will be served following the service.
Donations may be made to D.A.R.T.S. in our moms memory at fundraising@dartsdrumheller.ca
This obituary is published with permission of the family of Berniece Edna (Tourand) Chalmers and may not be copied © 2026